שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל

Shealtiel, an Israelite

Definition

Shealtiel is a proper name meaning 'I have asked God,' borne by a significant figure in the post-exilic period. He is identified as the son of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) and the father of Zerubbabel, the governor who led the first return from Babylonian exile (1 Chronicles 3:17, Ezra 3:2). In the books of Haggai and Nehemiah, he is consistently referenced in the context of the restored community, highlighting his lineage and his son's leadership role in rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1:1, 12, 14; Nehemiah 12:1).

Biblical Usage

The name Shealtiel appears exclusively in post-exilic biblical literature, specifically in 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Haggai. Its usage is genealogical and historical, establishing the Davidic lineage from the exiled king Jehoiachin through to Zerubbabel. In Ezra and Haggai, it is used to authorize Zerubbabel's position, as in 'Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel' (Ezra 3:2, 8; Haggai 1:1). This pattern underscores the continuity of leadership from the royal house of Judah.

Etymology

The name Shealtiel (שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: the verb שָׁאַל (sha'al, H7592), meaning 'to ask, request, borrow,' and the noun אֵל (ʼel, H410), meaning 'God.' It is a first-person perfect form, translating directly as 'I have asked God.' An alternate spelling, שַׁלְתִּיאֵל (Shaltiel), carries the same meaning. It is a theophoric name, common in Israelite culture, expressing a personal testimony or prayer to God.

Semantic Range

Shealtiel is theologically significant as a crucial link in the messianic genealogy. As the recorded son of the exiled King Jehoiachin (Matthew 1:12), he bridges the Davidic line from the monarchy to the post-exilic restoration. His son Zerubbabel is a central, hopeful figure in the prophetic books of Haggai and Zechariah, foreshadowing the future Messiah. Understanding this name and lineage highlights God's faithfulness in preserving the Davidic covenant despite the judgment of exile.

In ancient Israel, names were often meaningful sentences or prayers. 'Shealtiel' reflects a cultural practice of giving children names that commemorated divine interaction, such as a prayer answered or a vow made. As a theophoric name containing 'El' (God), it identifies the bearer and his family as worshippers of Yahweh. His position as a son of a deposed king living in exile also reflects the altered social status of the Davidic line during the Babylonian period.

Zerubbabel (Zᵉrubâbêl, H2216) — Shealtiel's son and the governor who led the return; a central figure in the restoration. Jehoiachin (Yᵊhôyâkîn, H3078) — Shealtiel's father, the exiled king of Judah. Jeconiah (Yᵊkonyâh, H3204) — An alternate name for Jehoiachin, Shealtiel's father.

Word Details

Scripture References